2013 Educators of the Year recognized

All four teachers honored Tuesday evening at the Educator Appreciation Reception were Cape Girardeau Public School District teachers: Heather Fisher of Blanchard Elementary, and Mary LeGrand, Julie Stausing and Ellen Pannier of Cape Central High School. Each received the prestigious Crystal Apple Award, a $500 check, a resolution of honor from the Missouri Legislature, and a commemorative video. The annual event is presented by Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.

Pictured at the reception, from the left, are School Board Vice President Kyle McDonald, State Representative Donna Lichtengger, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jim Welker, State Representative Kathy Swan, Honorees Mary LeGrand, Julie Stausing and Ellen Pannier, all of Cape Central High School (CHS), CHS Principal Dr. Mike Cowan, Honoree Heather Fisher of Blanchard Elementary, Blanchard Principal Dr. Barb Kohlfeld and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sherry Copeland.

Mary LeGrand, a math specialist and central studies teacher at CHS, has been instructing for Cape Public Schools for 25 years. She began teaching in 1984 in the parochial system. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Southeast Missouri State. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children and invests her spare time reading, boating, watching movies and traveling.

Julie Stausing has taught English, mythology and creative writing at Cape Central High School since 2006. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Southeast Missouri State University. The mother of two sons, she and her husband enjoy "junking" and restoring old, beat-up furniture to its former beauty and, of course, reading young adult literature. The honoree is also busy writing a book for young adults.

Ellen Pannier, a biology and honors anatomy teacher at CHS for the past seven years, has over 24 years in the teaching profession. She taught in the New Franklin, Fayette and Boonville School Districts prior to coming to Cape. She has a master's degree from Lindenwood University, a bachelor's from Central Methodist University and an associate's from Mineral Area College. When not in the classroom she enjoys biking and outside activities, as well as following her collegiate and high school daughters in their sporting events.

Heather Fisher is in her fourth year teaching kindergarten at Blanchard. She received a bachelor's at Southeast Missouri State, a master's at William Woods University and attended Webster University for post-graduate studies. She enjoys running, triathlons, videography, sewing, camping and traveling with her family.